BiNaural Beats

WHAT ARE BINAURAL BEATS

A frequency or wave created by the brain that greatly contributes to the enhancement of any desired brain state, e.g. increased memory retention, higher creative states, deep relaxation, clear focus and much more.

WHAT BINAURAL BEATS DO

In order to understand this we must first understand how brain frequencies work: Quite simply, your brain operates at different frequencies depending on the state that you are in. These frequencies (Hz) are measured as the number of waves per second.

When you are in a deep sleep your brain settles into a low frequency (0 – 4Hz), known as Delta Waves, which are measured as 0 to 4 waves per second and when you are alert and awake, your brain operates at a much higher frequency (12 – 30Hz), known as Beta Waves, which are measured as 12 – 30 waves per second. There are 2 other main states in between as follows:

So now you can understand what BiNaural Beats do. BiNaural Beats purposefully create a specific frequency in your brain in order to reach a specific state. For example: to specifically increase your memory retention, a 10Hz Alpha Wave frequency (which contributes to super-learning) needs to be created. Your brain hears this frequency and begins to respond to it by allowing you to enter into the realm of super learning.

HOW BINAURAL BEATS WORK

The interesting thing about BiNaural Beats are that they cannot be detected by the brain or heard while being played “outside the brain”. What physicist Heinrich Wilhelm (H.W) Dove discovered, is that when two slightly different frequencies are introduced to each ear (through stereo headphones), the brain naturally meshes these two frequencies together in order to deal with their difference. It is this meshing that phenomenally creates a third frequency, which we call the BiNaural Beat and that is how the brain is able to comprehend what it is being dealt with. It reconciles the difference between the two auditory frequencies and creates a third, which sounds like it in the centre of your head. The third frequency needs to be less than or equal to 30Hz in order to be considered a BiNaural Beat, otherwise the frequencies cannot be meshed together and will be heard separately.

If you are listening to a 315Hz frequency in your left ear and a 325Hz frequency in your right ear, the difference of 10Hz will be created by the superior olivary complex (responsible for hearing), in the brain stem.

Interestingly, through EEG (electroencephalograph, a tool used to detect brainwave activity) scans, specific ranges of frequencies have been identified to be associated with different brain functions, such as sleep, creativity and focus.

If we create a BiNaural Beat (frequency) that matches a specific brain state, then the brain will automatically follow that frequency to the extent of altering its function accordingly. So by applying the correct frequencies we can purposefully induce specific brain states, such as enhanced focus and concentration.

For example: When you are in a deep, dreamless sleep, then your brainwaves would naturally and predominantly be in the 0 – 4Hz range. So when you begin listening to Delta BiNaural Beats (4Hz), regardless of what brain state you are in, your entire brain frequency will then follow suit and lower to 4Hz.

Try listening to one of the samples below with only the right headphone in your ear, you will hear only one frequency, then remove it and switch to the left side and you will hear another slightly different frequency. Now listen with both headphones in your ears and you will hear the third frequency that your brain has created as a result.

DISCOVERY

BiNaural Beats were discovered way back in 1839 by a German physicist, meteorologist and experimenter, H.W Dove. Interestingly, what he found was that within the evolution of the human species, as our brain structure evolved, the increasing size of the cranium eventually allowed humans the ability to ‘hear’ the frequencies at which Binaural Beats can be detected.

Even more interesting, is the fact that even before BiNaural Beats were “propelled into the realm of science” (BinauralBlog), their usage had been found within many ancient cultures such as; Native American Shamans, Tibetan Monks and Hindu Healers to name a few. Research into some of these cultures found that ritualistic Shamanic and I Ching drumming, which produced beats ranging between 4 – 4 ½ and 3 – 4 beats per second respectively, elicits temporary changes in brainwave activity. These changes in the brain creates an entry into altered states of consciousness and it opens the realm to out-of-body experiences and astral visitations. . You can read more about this intriguing study here

WHEN TO USE IT

The best time to use BiNaural Beats is when you want your brain to function at a higher capacity, allowing you to achieve optimum results on the task at hand. Regardless of where you are or what time it is, if you need long periods of concentration, to easily find your creativity or even fall into a deep, relaxing sleep, BiNaural Beats will help you reach your goals easily. By matching the right BiNaural Beat to the desired state of mind you can make your life easier, stress-free and have more free time.

Are you studying for an exam? You will need to use BiNaural Beats with a frequency in the Alpha Wave range of 8 – 12Hz. It offers relaxation, increased concentration and an increase in memory retention. According to a study on Super-Learning for Increased Memory Retention, it has been found that when in the Alpha state, students learned over five times as much information with less study time per day. With greater long-term retention and in some cases, even thirty times as much was learned.

Do you need help falling into a deep sleep? You will need to listen to BiNaural Beats ranging in the Delta Wave frequencies of 0 – 4Hz. It lowers your brain activity and offers a deep, restorative and relaxing sleep. This Deep Sleep track is a great way to try it out.

STUDIES SUPPORTING BINAURAL BEATS

Over the years, there have been a handful of studies published to help thoroughly understand the science behind binaural beats. You will find them here: